Design, Construction, and Application of HANC (Hydroxylammonium Nitrate Concentrator)
Class
Article
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Faculty Mentor
Stephen Whitmore
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Small spacecraft, like CubeSats, are often released into orbit as a single, simultaneous-release batch. This clumped deployment is detrimental to objectives as the satellites end up blocking each other's signals and optics; as such, effective attitude adjustment systems for small spacecraft are highly desirable. Such a system has been developed at Utah State University (USU) that utilizes micro-hybrid rocket motor technology along with the "green" monopropellant, Hydroxylammonium Nitrate (HAN) that provides relatively low-power, low-temperature ignition and allows for multiple restarts of the thruster without replenishing propellants: an ideal system for providing thrust capabilities to small satellites. The Hydroxylammonium Nitrate Concentrator (HANC) was developed in support of testing the micro-hybrid ignition system. HANC distills commercially-available 24% HAN solution to concentrations of 60% and higher for testing. Safety was a great concern in the design and testing process as HAN is highly volatile when decomposition occurs. HANC was designed with HAN-compatible materials and uses vacuum-assisted evaporation and a double boiler heat exchanger system at low temperatures to minimize spontaneous decomposition hazards. HANC has successfully distilled salt water, and further tests are underway in determining proper, safe procedures for successful HAN distillation.
Start Date
4-9-2015 12:00 PM
Design, Construction, and Application of HANC (Hydroxylammonium Nitrate Concentrator)
Small spacecraft, like CubeSats, are often released into orbit as a single, simultaneous-release batch. This clumped deployment is detrimental to objectives as the satellites end up blocking each other's signals and optics; as such, effective attitude adjustment systems for small spacecraft are highly desirable. Such a system has been developed at Utah State University (USU) that utilizes micro-hybrid rocket motor technology along with the "green" monopropellant, Hydroxylammonium Nitrate (HAN) that provides relatively low-power, low-temperature ignition and allows for multiple restarts of the thruster without replenishing propellants: an ideal system for providing thrust capabilities to small satellites. The Hydroxylammonium Nitrate Concentrator (HANC) was developed in support of testing the micro-hybrid ignition system. HANC distills commercially-available 24% HAN solution to concentrations of 60% and higher for testing. Safety was a great concern in the design and testing process as HAN is highly volatile when decomposition occurs. HANC was designed with HAN-compatible materials and uses vacuum-assisted evaporation and a double boiler heat exchanger system at low temperatures to minimize spontaneous decomposition hazards. HANC has successfully distilled salt water, and further tests are underway in determining proper, safe procedures for successful HAN distillation.